Barley malt wort fermentation by exopolysaccharide-forming Weissella cibaria MG1 for the production of a novel beverage

Abstract

The growing interest of governments and industry in developing healthy and natural alternative foods and beverages that will fulfil the consumer drive towards a healthy lifestyle and clean-label, natural diet has led to an increase in traditional lactic acid bacteria fermentation research. In particular, this research aims to address the organoleptic modulation of beverages using in situ-produced bacterial polysaccharides. Weissella cibaria MG1 is capable of producing exopolysaccharides (dextran) and oligosaccharides (glucooligosaccharides) during sucrose-supplemented barley-malt-derived wort fermentation. Up to 36·4g l(-1) of dextran was produced in an optimized system, which improved the rheological profile of the resulting fermentate. Additionally, small amounts of organic acids were formed, and ethanol remained below 0·5%(v/v), the threshold volume for a potential health claim designation. The results suggest that the cereal fermentate produced by W.cibaria MG1 could be potentially used for the production of a range of novel, nutritious and functional beverages. Using conventional raw materials and traditional processes, novel LAB-fermented beverages can be produced representing an innovative mechanism towards fulfilling the aim to decrease government and personal costs as well as potentially ameliorating consumer lifestyle regarding dietary-related disease.